Voices of Freedom

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Interview with Judge Janice Rogers Brown Mar 21, 2024

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An Interview with Judge Janice Rogers Brown

The U.S. Constitution has held our Republic together through wars, the Great Depression and civil unrest. Yet for all that it has helped us endure, the Constitution faces great challenges.

Will Americans cherish and defend it, or bend to efforts to weaken and undermine it?

Our guest on this episode of Voice of Freedom is Judge Janice Rogers Brown. She shares her thoughts on whether citizens have the "discipline and toughness" required to safeguard the Constitution and addresses other significant Constitutional matters.

Brown was confirmed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia in 2005, where she served until 2017. Before that, she was an associate judge of the California Supreme Court.

Topics Discussed:

What drew Judge Brown to a career in law and the principles of the Constitution
Why she believes the Constitution's teachings are tough
The significance of originalism and how to defend it
The impact of partisanship on the justice system
Her thoughts on whether racial set asides are constitutional
How independent thinking and an inquisitive nature shaped her judicial philosophy

She has received numerous awards and honors throughout her distinguished career, including a 2018 Bradley Prize.

Interview with Ed Feulner Mar 07, 2024

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An Interview with Dr. Ed Fuelner, a Conservative Institution Builder

What does it mean to be a conservative? That question has long been debated, but the foundational principles of conservativism have been more sharply challenged in recent years. Focal points of discussion have centered on the role of government and America's approach to global conflict.

Few have as much insight into the development and growth of conservatism and its current state than our guest on this episode of Voices of Freedom. Dr. Ed Feulner, a renowned leader and institution-builder, shares his own path towards the ideals of freedom, describes what it took to build a movement, and offers his thoughts on the principles upon which conservatives can coalesce.

Dr. Ed Feulner co-founded and built Heritage in the late 1970s from a small policy shop into an American powerhouse of conservative ideas.

Feulner has authored nine books, played a prominent role in dozens of organizations, and speaks frequently both in the United States and abroad.

Topics discussed on this episode:

The books that influenced his ideological perspective and shaped his life
Feulner's role in building institutions of the modern conservative movement
How he transformed ideas into policy that have impacted America
What it means to be a conservative
Whether conservatives can coalesce around the restoration of civil society
America's role in the world and the state of our country
Are we in a new Cold War?
The role of free markets and free enterprise in today's conservatism
How he continues to remain a happy warrior

Over the years, he has consistently been listed as one of the 100 most influential conservatives in America and his service has been recognized with numerous accolades and honors, including the 2012 Bradley Prize.

Interview with General Jack Keane Feb 22, 2024

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An Interview with General Jack Keane, a Retired Four-Star General and Commentator

The expanding turmoil in the Middle East and the ongoing war in Ukraine indicate that 2024 will be one of global unrest and uncertainty. The unease comes at a time when the U.S. is wrestling with its role in the world. The ideological divide over America's posture when it comes to global conflict has transcended party lines, creating greater nuance to our foreign policy. How that impacts our engagement on the world stage, particularly in a presidential election year, remains to be seen.

General Jack Keane, a leading figure on national security and foreign affairs, is our guest on this episode of Voices of Freedom. He shares his thoughts on the geopolitical environment, how the U.S, should approach international hotspots, civil society's role during conflict, and the issues confronting the military.

General Jack Keane is a retired four-star general and commentator, whose 37 years of public service culminated in his appointment as acting Chief of Staff and Vice Chief of Staff of the United States Army. He is the Chairman of the Institute for the Study of War, a Senior Strategic Analyst for Fox News, and a member of the Secretary of Defense Policy Board.

Topics discussed on this episode:

Whether we're on the precipice of World War III
The latest developments in the Middle East
How the U.S. should approach the ongoing war in Ukraine
The surge in support for Palestine among Americans
How civil society impacts countries with sustained conflict
America's role in the world
The challenges facing the U.S. military

Gen. Keane has received numerous awards and accolades, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom. He was also a 2015 Bradley Prize winner.

Interview with John Cochrane Feb 08, 2024

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An Interview with John Cochrane, the Rose-Marie and Jack Anderson Senior Fellow of the Hoover Institution at Stanford University

While the staggering levels of post-pandemic inflation have gone down, Americans continue to say they feel pinched by high prices. All eyes are on the Fed for hints at what they may do to reduce inflation and ease the cost of housing and consumer goods. Adding to the economic uncertainty is the backdrop of an election and a looming debt crisis.

Stanford economist John Cochrane is our guest on this episode of Voices of Freedom. An expert on the drivers of inflation, his recently published book provides vast insight into the economic consequences of the government spending money it doesn't have. He shares his thoughts on what 2024 has in store for the economy.

Topics Discussed on this Episode:

· What economic data indicates vs. how Americans feel about the economy

· The impact of the 2024 election on the economy

· Why home ownership isn't the best investment

· America's debt crisis and how to rein it in

· Why the income tax should be eliminated and the tax code simplified

John Cochrane is the Rose-Marie and Jack Anderson Senior Fellow of the Hoover Institution at Stanford University. He also pens the popular blog, "The Grumpy Economist," on Substack and is the author of numerous publications and articles on monetary policy, finance, the economy and other topics. His latest book, The Fiscal Theory of the Price Level was named one of the Economist's Best Books of 2023. John is also a 2023 Bradley Prize winner.

Interview with Mark Rienzi Nov 16, 2023

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Religious freedom protects far more than the right to practice one's faith. It also shields people from being compelled by the government to participate in activities that are not in accordance with their religious beliefs.

Given the fierce battles over culture and politics today, it's not surprising that religious freedom has been significantly challenged. Perhaps what is surprising is the state of religious freedom, given the current environment.

Our guest on this episode of Voices of Freedom is Mark Rienzi, one of the country's leading defenders of religious freedom. He shares his thoughts on why religious liberty is one of our most important rights, how it's faring amidst significant legal challenges, and more.

Topics discussed by Mark Rienzi and Rick Graber, President and CEO, The Bradley Foundation, include:

· How Becket decides which cases to take

· Whether Americans' value of religious freedom has diminished over time

· The state of religious freedom in America

· The administrative state's impact on religious liberty

· How geopolitical events affect religious freedom at home

· How religious freedom fared during the U.S. Supreme Court's last term and how they may rule on religious liberty cases in the current term

Mark Rienzi is the President and CEO of The Becket Fund for Religious Liberty, a non-profit public interest law firm with a mission to protect the free expression of all faiths. He is also a Professor of Law at the Catholic University of America, Columbus School of Law, where he is co-director of the Center for Religious Liberty and has served as a Visiting Professor of Law at Harvard Law School.

Interview with Anne Bradley Nov 02, 2023

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The ubiquitous smartphones that are a staple of modern life provide access to nearly every good or service that one could possibly imagine. We can have food delivered within minutes, book our next vacation, pay a bill, and order our children's hot lunch all with a swipe of our fingers.

We often don't consider that our numerous digital transactions, saving time and energy, are possible because of free enterprise. The same is true of the countless innovations that make our lives easier. Instead, many today are apt to criticize economic freedom, believing it causes inequity.

Our guest on this episode of Voices of Freedom is Anne Bradley. Through research, education and teaching, Anne brings the marvels of free markets to life, with the goal of ensuring that the next generation is prepared to preserve an economic system that creates opportunity and vastly improves lives. Topics discussed by Anne Bradley and Rick Graber, President and CEO, The Bradley Foundation, include:

Finding the economic angle in everything from income inequality to the political economy of terrorism.
Teaching economic concepts in a way that's relatable and accessible.
The link between markets and morality; why the free-market system is the most humane economic system.
Markets and the acceleration of materialism.
The myth that economic freedom creates and exacerbates income inequality.
Industrial policy's consequences.
Where to turn for thoughtful, accurate economic analysis and commentary.

Anne Bradley is the George and Sally Mayer Fellow for Economic Education and vice president of academic affairs at The Fund for American Studies, where she enhances the impact and reach of economic education programs, oversees the development of economics curriculum and teaches economics courses. She is the author of several books on the intersection of theology and economics and is working on a book about the political economy of terrorism.

Interview with Brandon Detweiler Oct 20, 2023

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The movement to expand parental freedom in education continues to experience momentum, an encouraging sign that families are demanding more choices for their children. Dozens of states have passed laws to open K12 opportunities over the last few years, and even more are considering doing the same. Yet many families still don't send their children to a school that best fits their needs even after these laws are passed because they are unaware of their new education options.

Our guest on this episode of Voices of Freedom is Brandon Detweiler. Brandon's work focuses on ensuring that information about a family's K12 opportunities is literally at their fingertips.

Topics discussed by Brandon Detweiler and Rick Graber, President and CEO, The Bradley Foundation, include:

· Obstacles that prevented education freedom from taking off earlier

· The development of Schoolahoop, an app that informs families about their K12 options

· Lessons learned from the initial launch of Schoolahoop, including feedback from parents and the education community

· Outreach efforts to inform families of educational opportunities, including scholarships

· The implementation measures that parental choice advocates should consider as they try to advance education opportunity in their states

Brandon Detweiler is the head of product at the Foundation for American Innovation. He has a background in edtech, online learning, and e-commerce at Veritas Press, where he helped lead and grow the largest and oldest online classical Christian school in the country and launched the Phonics Museum Reading App.

Interview wth Carrie Lukas Oct 05, 2023

Show notes

The free exchange of goods and services has profoundly improved living conditions throughout the world. In the past two decades alone, free markets have helped reduce the child mortality rate by almost half and have lifted 130,000 people out of extreme poverty.

Yet according to a recent poll, twice as many people believe that socialism, rather than the free market system, can best meet everyone's basic needs. Breaking it down further, men are far more likely to have a favorable view of free markets than women (68% vs. 48%).

Carrie Lukas is our guest on this episode of Voices of Freedom. She is working to change the way women think about free markets, and to promote a better understanding of how liberty-oriented policies open opportunity for individuals and families.

Topics discussed by Carrie Lukas and Rick Graber, President and CEO, The Bradley Foundation, include:

Debunking the myth that free markets are incompatible with compassion
What conservatives can do to show women how their policies advance opportunity
The impact that federal paid family leave would have on parents
Solutions to the issue of childcare affordability and accessibility
The reasons for the pay gap between men and women
Whether DEI policies have their intended effect
How efforts to redefine gender are harming society

Carrie Lukas is the president of Independent Women's Forum, vice president of Independent Women's Voice, and a member of Independent Women's Network. She is the author of The Politically Incorrect Guide to Women, Sex, and Feminism, Checking Progressive Privilege, and Liberty Is No War on Women. Her work has appeared in The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, USA Today, and numerous other outlets.

Interview with Greg Lukianoff & Darpana Sheth Sep 21, 2023

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Free speech is a bedrock principle that has helped to sustain democracy and catalyze tremendous growth and prosperity in America. At the same time, it's a right that is often misunderstood or taken for granted. The pervasiveness of technology and increased political polarization has only made free speech issues more complex and often controversial.

Greg Lukianoff and Darpana Sheth are our guests on this episode of Voices of Freedom. They discuss the fundamentals of free speech and make the case for why it's important to protect all speech.

Topics Discussed

Free speech protections under the First Amendment
FIRE's updated mission and why it chose to expand its focus
Why free speech must be preserved on college campuses
California's law to compel professors to adopt certain views and Florida's law prohibiting professors from expressing certain views
How to ensure that books remain protected speech and are age appropriate in school libraries
The impact of Section 230 and whether it should be reformed
The future of free speech in America

Lukianoff is the president and CEO of the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE), an attorney, and the author of Unlearning Liberty: Campus Censorship and the End of American Debate, Freedom From Speech, and FIRE's Guide to Free Speech on Campus. Most recently, he co-authored The Coddling of the American Mind: How Good Intentions and Bad Ideas Are Setting Up a Generation for Failure with Jonathan Haidt.

Sheth is an attorney and Vice President of Litigation for FIRE. Darpana joined FIRE after 10 years with the Institute for Justice, where she litigated cutting-edge constitutional cases to protect property rights, economic liberty, and other individual liberties in federal court.

Interview with Ilya Shapiro Sep 01, 2023

Show notes

Universities, more than most institutions, should be places that welcome the free exchange of ideas. Critical thinking is sharpened when one's beliefs are challenged, and new ideas and perspectives are introduced. This is especially crucial for young people as they prepare to enter an increasingly complex world.

Yet today's college environment is one in which students and faculty who hold certain viewpoints must find the courage to speak freely. In many cases when they do, they suffer the consequences.

Ilya Shapiro is our guest on this episode of Voices of Freedom. He is not only an expert on constitutional rights but has firsthand experience of what it's like to be a target of the cancel culture movement.

Topics Discussed

Cancel culture's impact on higher education and what it's like to experience it firsthand
The drivers behind efforts to suppress free speech at universities
Why university leadership should do more than adopt free speech policies
The undercurrent of censorship in our institutions
U.S. Supreme Court's last term and the overall state of the court

Shapiro is a senior fellow and director of constitutional studies at the Manhattan Institute. Previously, he was executive director and senior lecturer at the Georgetown Center for the Constitution. Before that, he was a vice president at the Cato Institute and director of Cato's Robert A. Levy Center for Constitutional Studies.

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